THE SPRINGFIELD RAMS-6th grade

Jake & Coach Dad had a great football season, the ended the season 8-0 --they were conference champs....then came the SUPER BOWL....the lost....to a team they had previously beaten...Jake was devasteated (see top).

They had a great team, great group of coaches and overall a fantastic season!!

HONK

Eric didn't have much time for rest, he was cast as the role of Drake the Mallard Duck in the musical HONK! by the A.C.T.T. with the Springfield Theatre Center. His show ran the last two weekends in October and received RAVE reviews. Jakob auditioned for WILLY WONKA and got the role of a lead Oompa Loompa, his show runs December 5, 6, 7, 11, 14, 15 & 16, 2008. Eric will also be performing the weekend of Dec 5 & 6, 2008 in his High School Madrigal where he plays one of two pesky court jesters!!

Homecoming 2008

Corey's Birthday Party

Corey's Bday & More

We all dined out for Corey's Bday and yes, that's Eric girlfriend, Carly and she joined us as well. Next weekend is Homecoming and Eric is taking Carly! (aww...) She's a very smart, nice and talented girl who comes from a wonderful family whom we got to know over the course of Les Miserables!

Everyone has been so busy...

Eric is preparing for another show, "HONK!" he plays the part of "Drake the Mallard Duck", he is also running on the LHS Cross Country team again this year (3-5 miles daily!!), participating in the LHS Show Choir and working a part time job bussing tables still at Jimmy Oh's.

Jakob has started the 6th grade--he is playing Football on the Springfield Rams, he was recently invited to apply for the IMSA E2K+ program at school--it's an after school program affiliated with The Math & Science Academy in Aurora, he has turned in his application packet and essay and should be finding out within the next week or so whether or not he was accepted. fifty-two (52) 6, 7 & 8th graders were invited and only 30 will be accepted. Jake was one of twelve 6th graders. They were picked based on their math and schience ISAT scores--they had to be in the top 20%. So keep your fingers crossed--he's quite excited and hopeful!! If he gets in this year it's an automatic through the 8th grade!

I've been busy with a new project at IDOT--Operation Teen Safe Driving--this is the 2nd year of the program and I've been added to the team and well--it's a subject close to my heart (Eric took drivers ed this summer) so I really am enjoying my work these days. I've been battling an inner ear infection which of course seems to affect EVERYTHING--balance etc--so I feel like a HOT MESS lately!! Otherwise everything else is great!

Corey is still coaching Jake's football team and keeping busy at work (Levi, Ray & Schoup--Sports Recruitment Software Department), lately with everyone's activites we seem to just barely cross path's!! With Eric and Jake doing so well in their math and science classes--I am so grateful for Corey's Math degree--Eric is in Geometry --and I don't think I could BEGIN to help him with his homework! He saves the hard questions for "OD" and they work on them together. He is fantastic at helping the boys with their homework!

Well...ta ta for now!

Marianne

Les Miserables

Let me begin with just a "WOW"! Eric and Jakob were both cast in the "ALL CITY MUSICAL" (comprised of kids from all three public high-school's here in town) of Les Miserables, and let's just say there is a lot of young talent in this town!

The show ran a total of 4 nights, many who came and saw mentioned they could not believe it was High School sudents up on the stage! These kids put SO much into this show, they spent much of their summer break in rehearsals and assisting with the sets!

Jakob played the role of Gavroche--and well, yes I am slightly biased but he really did a great job. Eric played many supporting roles and again--I thought he did amazing!! As did everyone else in the show!! Looks like they will be auditioning for HONK next....I'll be sure to update!!

Enjoy what is left of the summer!!

Love,

Mare

Catching up..it's been a busy Summer!!

Well, we are half way through July so far and it's been busy! We had another fantastic 4th of July we spent the day at Joe's house. (pic's above..)

Eric started and completed Drivers Ed as well as Consumer Ed in Summer School. Now armed with his learner's permit he is successfully giving me several grey hairs!! (for some reason he doesn't like red lights??) I have come to the conclusion that the new law which requires him to have his permit for 9 months really isn't a bad thing! He turns 16 in November but due to that new law he isn't able to apply for his license until April 11, 2009. (whew.) Eric has also landed a job, he will be bussing tables and hosting at Jimmy Oh's a new fine dining restaurant here in town--not too many hours we don't want to cramp his rehearsal schedule nor his place on the cross country team but he wants to work a night or two a week! OH and he got braces too!!

Jakob attended SHG Football camp last week and began practice this week with the Springfield RAMS! It's hard to believe it's "that time again". With yet another promotion under his belt at work Corey was really struggling with whether to Coach or not, in his true style he could not simply let it go so he opted to stay on and assist as long as they found another head coach.

Les Miserables is less than two weeks away. Pre-sell of tickets has begun, and yes before you ask we have ours (and yes..I will be there all 3 nights!)! We have a lot of friends and family traveling just to come and see Eric and Jake perform! We are all getting very excited. Corey, Patti and I have all been volunteering our time on the weekends towards getting the set built and assisting with props. It's truly been a family affair!

Thanks to all of our friends and family for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes!

Love,

Marianne

80's Party

Corey and I at Jaime's party!

Jaime had her ANNUAL BASH but this year she decided to have a "theme" and it was the 80's--

The party was a great time, from big hair to shoulder pads to tight rolled jeans it was one laugh after the next. For more pictures be sure to see below!!

To Joliet

We went to Joliet to see my goddaughter Lilly in her dance recital (Pictured above), she did such a fantastic job, even the boys loved it. He older brother Elliot also took part but as a lead role and only as a special favor to his sister Lilly!! Throughout the recital it was like an ongoing "play" and it was loosely based on "High School Musical" they really did a great job!

While there we took the opportunity to head to Chicago (Me, Corey, Amy & Derek) and we saw "Tony & Tina's Wedding" which was GREAT!! Eric and Jake stayed with Grandma Colleen and Auntie Traci!! There are some pictures from "Tony & Tina's Wedding" below!!

Ciao!

Marianne

A Successful Year

Eric is at the end of a very successful Freshman year at Lanphier High School! He is one of six tied for the number 3 spot in his class ranking. (Picture above from his 2007-08 yearbook) He is taking two summer school classes and is determined to inch up that list!! His Concert & Show Choir had an end of the year performance, if you like to see a clip from the performance feel free to visit our myspace at www.myspace.com/ergjrperforms.

At the recommendation of Eric's showchoir instructor we have enrolled Eric as well as Jakob in formal voice lessons which they both began this week and the absolutely LOVE their voice coach!!

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day!!

KISS ME KATE LHS 2008

Eric's first performance was a HUGE success!!! The entire cast, crew & director from Kiss Me Kate did a FANTASTIC job!! Eric had a lot of fun, the end was bittersweet. It was a lot of hard work so he wasn't sad to regain some of his beloved free time, however spent so much time with the cast & crew he was sad for that to end!

He and Jakob are both a part of the Les Miserables all city production this August. Jakob will be playing to role of Gavroche and it is uncertain what role Eric is playing at this point. I will be sure to pass that information along as I find out.

Please be sure to visit our myspace page, that address is:
www.myspace.com/ergjrperforms
There are many more pictures from Kiss Me Kate as well as a few clips of Eric's Solo's.

Have a HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

Love,
Mare

Eric's Madrigal

OOPS. Well I must have been busy. In early December Eric took part in a Madrigal Dinner put on by the Show Choir at his school. He was one of few with a speaking role! Jaime, Jackson, Jakob, Corey, Patti and I all attended at a family to show our support for Eric and he graciously reserved us a great table with a view!!

Please see the attached photos!! I can't believe I forgot to blog on this AWESOME event!!

Eric is really enjoying singing with the Show Choir, performing as well as competing.

He is about to play the LEAD (Fred) role in the Spring Musical at school "Kiss Me Kate"--which is HUGE as a Freshman to be cast as the lead. He was quite surprised himself!!! We are so proud and excited for him.

I am heading up a fundraiser for his show choir through Eye Candy, we have created "Kiss Me Kate" crystal designed shirts as well as various LHS shirts to sell and have joined forces with a local screen printer for Kiss Me Kate shirts for the men! I am hoping that this fundraiser will be a huge success for the Show Choir!!

Keep checking back, I will make certain to add pictures as well as write a "reveiw" for the Kiss Me Kate production. Many friends and family plan on attending--Eric is building up quite the fan club already!

xoxox

Mare

Spring Break 2008

Last week of March was Spring Break for Eric and Jakob and we took a Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas, mom and Traci joined us.

We had beautiful sunny skies and the weather was in the mid to low 80's the entire trip.

Traci and I seemed to like it better while docked, we both had a bit of Sea Sickness!!

The boys were able to rock climb, snorkel in the Ocean, swim in the pool on board the ship and take part in various activites on board for their specific age range.

All in all it was a good trip, however I don't think I will be cruising again anytime real soon!!

To everyone who assured me I would NOT feel the motion of the ocean while on the ship: LIARS!!

Be sure to see more pictures below!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

WOW! What a fabulous whirlwind we have had!! We have had a lot of fun together!! Christmas Eve was hosted at Jaime's house, she prepared a delicious Prime Rib Roast for everyone and we were blessed with great weather this Christmas and Traci and Mom were able to join us! Everyone got and gave lovely gifts this year, but the very best was us all being able to celebrate together.

I don't know if it's age, or the reflection of three Christmas' past without my father but I feel as if I have so very much to be thankful for. I am so grateful to have such a loving and supportive family, not only just loving and support--but a closeness--sometimes as my mom would say "too close" but at the end of the day--bickering and all I really wouldn't want it any other day. I am so proud to be so close with my sisters, mom and nephew Jack. Jack is my sister's (Jaime) only child--but with being so close with Eric and Jake he is far from an "only child"!

My boys are getting so big and they both strive to do well in school they are loving, respectful yet have strong minds as well as opinions of their own. I am so proud of them. Eric at 15 is so focused on what he wants out of life and in his future and every day does something to get him closer to his goal. His first semester as a High School Freshman has been a successful one, he pulled off straight A's in all honors classes which landed him on the High Honor Roll--again!! He is a true leader and has no problem voicing his opinions. Little Jake--well I say little but soon he too will be hovering over mom like Eric. Jakob also has his ideas of what he wants--at 10, they may be a little far fetched but we all have had our dreams! Jakob also has had a great school year so far, at the Ball Charter School they do not use "letter" grades until the 7th grade, but he is doing VERY well!! Like his brother they both have very creative minds and TALENT!!! Especially when it comes to music, they both sing quite well and love their instruments. Jakob is starting on a 5th grade co-ed volleyball team this Spring--his brother played on the same team in the 5th grade and Jake has been looking forward to it sine then!

I am also very grateful for those who have been "adopted" into my family over the years and they are my extraordinary fabulous friends, who I love and cherish. Without you--I would have lost my sanity years ago!!! Bless you all, for being there, loving me back and for reading my blog!!!

I hope you all feel as blessed as I do!!

Love,

Mare